Kufuor Charges Electoral Commission: Don’t Fail The Nation

President J.A. Kufuor says after enjoying tremendous support from Ghanaians and friends of the nation since taking over a peaceful nation from his predecessor, Jerry John Rawlings in 2001, he desires to equally hand over a peaceful and united Ghana to whoever succeeds him. He has therefore challenged the Electoral Commission to referee the electoral process leading to Election 2008 impartially to ensure free, fair, credible and acceptable results. Speaking at his last Independence Anniversary parade at the Independence Square in Accra, he said his government is committed to peaceful elections, however that responsibility cannot be the sole responsibility of the government. “All of us, as parties and citizens of Ghana, must also demonstrate responsibility. But of course the crucial role of the Electoral Commission cannot be underestimated. There are examples of peaceful, prosperous and beautiful countries that have quickly degenerated into anarchy because of a flawed electoral process.” He said to begin with, the integrity of the electoral machinery and personnel should not be in doubt. “On that score, I call on the Electoral Commission to referee the electoral proceedings; including registration, voting, counting and declaration of results with impartiality, neutrality and transparent honesty to make the contesting parties and indeed the entire electorate feel proud of the outcome, win or lose.” “The Commission must not fail the nation,” he emphasised. President Kufuor urged all and sundry to play their respective roles responsibly to ensure a successful election. The President’s admonition comes in the wake of alleged discrepancies in the Voters’ Register by the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress, against the Electoral Commission. The Commission has initiated moves, including the setting up of a committee involving the political parties, to investigate the allegation but has rejected any wrong doing.